Foreign Policy White Paper

The Government of Fiji is close to the finalisation of its first Foreign Policy White Paper (FPWP).

The FPWP articulates Fiji’s foreign policy priorities and states the policy direction of Government. It is the platform to explain to a domestic audience where foreign policy fitted into national objectives.

Fiji’s FPWP comprises of three elements that complement each other namely analysis, policy positioning and the machinery of delivery.  It is centred on the three pillars of sovereignty, security and prosperity and shows how Fiji views the region, the world and its ambitions in foreign policy.

In early 2024, the Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Sitiveni Rabuka, mandated the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to produce Fiji’s first FPWP that will articulate Fiji’s Foreign Policy priorities and guide its international engagements into the future.

As part of the formulation, a whole of Government process was engaged and involved the views and inputs of Ministries and agencies led by the Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs. An Australian Government technical advisor and a reference group were also engaged. The reference group comprised renowned persons who are current and former diplomats, leaders, scholars and authors in diplomacy and regionalism who have long-standing experience and grounding on Fiji and diplomacy at regional and global level.

Consultations were carried out with Government agencies, the private sector, academics, political parties, traditional leaders, regional organisation, Fiji Diplomatic Missions and MFA. Face to face and hybrid meetings were also conducted to solicit feedback, considerations and debates on the FPWP.

Strategic developments and advances on the new National Development Plan, the National Security and Defence Review and the Ocean of Peace were further projected and socialized to rid replications and overlays.

The FPWP was passed at the recent Development Sub-Committee forum conducted last week and will undergo the final clearance with Fiji’s Cabinet soon before its launch as a major policy document.